Meet the Providers
At Lake Area Physical Therapy & Aquatics in North Central Florida, our friendly, highly skilled staff includes physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, an occupational therapist, and a speech therapist to provide you with the comprehensive, personalized care you need.
Laura Hodges is a 1979 graduate of Florida International University with prior education at the University of South Carolina. Her early years of experience were in a large orthopedic practice based in Lake City, Florida where she became inspired to start her own business. Lake Area Physical Therapy was opened in May 1986, in Melrose and expanded into Starke, Keystone Heights and Crescent City.
Laura remains the sole owner and operator of L.A.P.T. She continues to be an active participant in clinical treatment of patients and administration of the business. Her experience is wide and varied with particular interest in TMJ, craniomandibular dysfunction and vertigo/vestibular rehabilitation. She resides on Lake Santa Fe in Earlton, Florida.
Amanda Buckles is a Putnam County native and graduate of both Palatka High School and St John’s River College in 2000. She is a proud Florida Gator and attended the University of Florida acquiring both Bachelor’s in Health Science then Master’s in Physical therapy graduating in 2005. Amanda returned to Putnam County after completing her education and has been practicing predominantly outpatient orthopedics for over 19 years. Amanda has additional training specializing in Dry Needling, vestibular rehab, cardiac dysfunction, and sports rehabilitation. She is the proud parent of Cora Landis, who aspires to be a veterinarian.
Amanda is the co-owner and clinical manager of both the Palatka and Crescent City facilities and can be reached at (386) 698-0831 or (386) 518-0846. 
Caleb graduated from Florida State University with his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of North Florida. He earned his NSCA personal training certification in 2013 and has continued to professionally train his clients throughout the years while earning both degrees and practicing Physical Therapy.
Caleb has years of experience working with clients to achieve their goals in an enjoyable and successful way. He appreciates the peace of his early morning routine waking up early to eat, workout, and prepare for his day hours before sunrise. Caleb has shown to be a reliable and hard-working addition to the staff here at Lake Area PT that only adds to the great environment we have established for our community.
Caleb lives in Saint Augustine and enjoys working on house projects, going to the beach, travelling, and competing in local Disc Golf tournaments. 
Heidi is a 2013 graduate of Keiser University in Jacksonville Fl. She began her interest in PT in 2000 when she began working at Lake area Physical Therapy and Aquatics as a technician. She has experience in skilled nursing and general ortho. She has lived in Clay county most of her life and graduated from Middleburg High. She currently lives in Keystone Heights with her husband and two children. 
Rob and his amazing wife Amy are loving their recent move to Keystone Heights, to join Lake Area Physical Therapy’s team of skilled clinicians. He brings 20+ years of outpatient experience, a McKenzie Certification, with many of those years as a spine specialist. In his free time, Rob enjoys being with his family (especially his 2 young grandsons), and doing most anything outside, especially playing tennis.
Kim is a 2002 graduate of Arizona School of Health Sciences with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She received a Bachelors degree in Accounting from SUNY Oswego in 1992. Her clinical background includes homecare, acute inpatient, skilled nursing, and outpatient. Kim has experience with several diagnosis including but not limited to CVA, TBI, spinal cord injuries, central nervous system disorders, cardiac, respiratory, cognitive, PTSD, anxiety, and orthopedic. Kim is a snowbird originating out of central New York. Kim is an outdoors enthusiast who enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, camping, hiking, and motorcycle riding.
Lauren Hughes is a 2013 graduate of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences where she earned her doctorate of physical therapy degree. She also received a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from the University of North Florida in 2010. Her clinical background includes acute care, skilled nursing, and general orthopedics. Lauren is a lifetime resident of Starke and graduated from Bradford High School in 2006. 
Diane is a 2019 graduate of Keiser University. She began her career as a physical therapist assistant at Lake Area Physical Therapy. Her clinical experience includes treating post-operative, general orthopedic, and various neurological populations. She enjoys gaining a rapport with her patients and expanding her manual therapy skills. Diane also holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Stetson University.
Courtney grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Terry Parker high school in June 2014 and later attended FSCJ in the fall. Courtney graduated with her AA in 2017 and later decided to go back to school at FSCJ in 2019. She enrolled back into school in the spring of 2020 where she later found out she was accepted into FSCJ PTA program. Courtney graduated in the fall of 2022 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Her clinical experience includes general orthopedics, sport related injuries, post operative patients, and cardiac rehab. Courtney's future professional goals she would like to go back to school one day to become a DPT. In her free time she likes to go to Disney with family and spend a lot of time doing photography.
Seth Miles was born and raised in Palatka, Florida. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2015 after pursuing his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and Valdosta State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. Seth has always had a passion for his community and recently help found the Palatka Young Professionals organization serving on the board as chairman. In 2008, he met his wife Bryn while attending the University of Florida. Together they have a daughter named Molly who strives to be a graphic artist for Pixar when she grows up. Through his time as a physical therapist, Seth has practiced several different specialties including orthopedics, vestibular, geriatrics, skilled nursing, and has a background in cardiac rehab as well. In his free time, Seth enjoys spending time with friends and family, rooting for the Florida Gators in any and all sports, cooking, reading, woodworking, and perfecting his photography skills.
Leslie Polinkas earned her Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Florida and is proud to be a Florida Gator. She has been a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) since 2006. Leslie has worked in Outpatient, Inpatient, Skilled Nursing and Home Health, with varied patient populations including Geriatrics, Pediatrics, CVA, orthopedics and hand injuries. She is certified in LSVT BIG therapy for Parkinson Disease. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with husband and family, travel and shopping. 
Carol Rich is a 1995 graduate of Lake City Community College and began her career as a physical therapist assistant at Lake Area Physical Therapy, where she has worked since 1996. Carol has developed clinical excellence in outpatient orthopedics and manual therapy.
Carol also holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Central Florida. She is an active clinical instructor for students pursuing a physical therapist assistant degree.
Caitlyn Sanders graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019. She received her Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Central Florida in 2021. During her graduate training, she was apart of the Aphasia House where she collaborated with colleagues to provide intensive training for individuals with aphasia. Over the last 2 years she has worked with a variety of patients with her clinical experience primarily including early intervention and school-age populations. She provides assessment and treatment for a variety of speech and language disorders and has experience with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). Caitlyn is a lifetime resident of Starke.
Angie is a 1997 graduate of De Moines University with a Masters Degree of Science in Physical Therapy. She also has a license in Massage Therapy that she earned at The Humanities Center in St. Petersburg, Fl. Angie has be a Physical Therapist and Clinical Director for Lake Area Physical Therapy and Aquatics since July 2000. She is a resident of Melrose and enjoys spending time with her family.
Kimberley Stanley earned her Associates in Science degree from Santa Fe College in 2020 and has worked as a physical therapist assistant at Lake Area Physical Therapy since becoming licensed. She became interested in physical therapy through her aunt, a PT, who she is blessed to work alongside here at LAPT. Kimberley continues to be involved with the PTA program at Santa Fe College as a tutor and adjunct assistant professor. She is a lifetime resident of Melrose where she lives on her family's homestead.
Farrah Starling is a 2020 graduate of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She has prior experience working in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation with a variety of cardiac, vascular, and neurological diagnoses. She is a certified lymphedema therapist and provides lymphedema treatment here at Lake Area Physical Therapy and Aquatics. She also treats upper extremity injuries and conducts functional capacity evaluations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband and family.
Sidney Srivibul is a double graduate from the University of Florida earning her Doctorate in physical therapy in 2020. Her clinical experience includes treating sports related injuries, pelvic therapy, post operative patients, general orthopedics, and a variety of neurological populations. She was born and raised in Starke, FL and has deep roots in the surrounding community. 
Chloe Thompson received her Associates in Science degree from the Florida State College at Jacksonville and has been working as a Physical Therapist Assistant since 2010. Since receiving her state license, she has worked in both hospital and home health settings, but has focused on outpatient care for the past 8 years. Chloe is passionate about getting to know her patients in order to provide excellent physical therapy care on an individual basis. She has continued her education by completing various courses including Kinesiology taping, Balance and Dizziness training, and Myofascial release. In her spare time, Chloe loves spending quality time with her husband and two young daughters. Together they enjoy time at the lake and outdoor activities.
Nicole Wagner is a 1998 honors graduate of the University of Florida, Nicole has been a contracted Occupational Therapist for Lake Area Physical Therapy and Aquatics since 1999. Previous education in Rehabilitation Counseling at University of Florida. She has over 15 years of clinical experience with special interest in neurological rehabilitation and hands. Nicole has experience in acute care, inpatient psychiatric, skilled nursing and home care. Future professional goals include attaining a Certified Hand Therapist specialty as well as becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist. Nicole is a native of Keystone Heights, Florida and a single mom who enjoys performing music, dancing, gardening and travel. 
Vicktoria Williams is a 2020 graduate of Daytona State College. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Her clinical experience includes general orthopedics, neurological conditions, post MVA/trauma, and sports related injuries. She is a South Putnam native that graduated from Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School. 